Civil Society Engagement in EFA in the post-Dakar

Period2000 to date

COLLECTIVE CONSULTATION OF NGO’s FOR BASIC EDUCATION

I – PREAMBLE

The first special session on

Partnerships between Ministers of

Education and Civil society

organizations was held in Geneva in

September 2001, during the

International Conference for

Education.

i)         alternative service

providers

ii)        critical thinkers and

innovators

iii)       advocacy

iv)       policy partners

MAJOR ROLES AGREED FOR CS

Strong commitment to EFAClear government policy for collaborationOpen, democratic and stable political systemMutual trust and transparencyMechanism for ongoing policy dialogue between governments and civil societyCapacity building for civil society organisationsInternational solidarity in supporting national

efforts

Preconditions for effective CS engagement in policy dialogue identified

-    contributing to building a culture of civic participation and social responsibility that favours education

-    contributing to the democratization and reform of educational institutions and legal frameworks

-   contributing to developing more relevant content and pedagogy of learning which foster fulfilment, citizenry, equity and social inclusion

The Policy Role

coalition building, networking and exchange of good practice among CS

   policy dialogue with governments and other EFA ptrs

campaigning, lobbying for specific issues

independent monitoring and “watchdog”

policy research

capacity building.

POLICY TRANSLATED INTO CONCRETE ACTIONS

What successes have

resulted from the

engagement of civil society

in EFA policy processes?

1. Coalition building, Networking and exchange of good

practice among civil society An increasing number of CSOs and networks are

engaging in policy influcing and advocacy.

More coherence by CSO on issues of education policy leading to coalitions at national levels.

For Example: Women’s association, teachers unions, faith based

organizations, teacher parent associations and others, have formed coalitions and networks to advocate jointly for the right to education for all.( GCE and its affiliates at and international levels).

In Africa: ANCEFA and GCE affiliates i.e. Action Aid , Oxfam, Education International, Global March against Child Labour and FAWE have strongly supported coalition building processes in 23 countries.

In Asia, Latin America and the Arab regions, networks of CSOs like ASPBAE, CEAAL and ARC are supporting national coalition building around EFA.

INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ARENA

GCE

REGIONAL VOICE“Our vision? One civil society, one voice” Gorgui Sow, ANCEFA Coodinator

WC

S

E

SUB-REGIONAL VOICE

NATIONAL COALITION

NATIONAL COALITION

NATIONAL COALITION

CCNGO, MINEDAF, CONFINTEA ….

BOARD MEMBER

SUPPORT TO BUILD STRONG, DIVERSE, ACTIVE NATIONAL COALITION TO SHARE A COMMON PLATFORM

SUB-REGIONAL ACTION PLANS

UNESCOMDG

CAMPAIGN

MDGs, HLG, EFAWG …

2. Policy dialogue with governments and other EFA partners

CSO participation in technical committees, on some of the different EFA goals, which are part of the national EFA processes.

Opportunities to participate systematically in transversal sector –wide committees and policy forums.

Policy Dialogue…. Contd:Multi-partner mechanisms (including CSO) on

EFA policy issues are in place in some countries.

-The Advisory Council for Literacy in Algeria, which

orients national literacy policies, is one example.

-The Basic Education Development Committee

(BEDC) in Tanzania responsible for implementing and monitoring the Primary Education Dev Plan

In conclusion, most networks report some successes and positive developments regarding their relationships with the government, albeit with a number of constraints.

3. Campaigning and lobbying

• Global Campaign for Education week of action

• National campaign work:• In Kenya, ELIMU YETU organized CSOs on Free Primary

Education (FE) leading to its adoption by the new Govt.• In the Philippines, E-Net monitors policy developments

through constant information sharing.• In Brazil an El Salvador, CSOs are involved in monitoring

public spending on education.

4.Civil Society Capacity Building

Participation in policy dialogue requires skills and knowledge hence building critical mass within the civil society is an urgent necessity

INGOs: Action Aid, Oxfam, CEF and UNESCO supporting training needs and tools development.

GCE,ANCEFA and ASPBAE joint initiative, ‘Real World Strategy’ capacity building initiative in Africa(17 countries) and Asia pacific( six countries)- Dutch Govt.

UNESCO and ANCEFA joint capacity building program for NGO’s and CSO’s cover 11 countries

CEF (ActionAid,Oxfam and Save the Children) support civil society platforms in 17 countries and ANCEFA – UK Govt.

5. Independent monitoring and watching

• Bangladesh has the most innovative and

comprehensive experience to share-

CAMPE pioneered the Education Watch

project.

• The regional networks as ASPBAE, FAWE

and ANCEFA have conducted case

studies on issues related to EFA plans

and girls education.

• GCE survey on National EFA Action Plans.

The Constraints

CSO networks – even those that have achieved enhanced competencies – have been largely absent in national policy platforms and/or processes

They are often confined to dialogue on specific isolated issue

CSO engagement rarely extends beyond information-sharing and consultation.

CSOs are hardly ever in monitoring and evaluating policy implementation

The challenges Expanding CSO capacity building requirements.

Linking global and local advocacy work (grounded in local realities and informed by local interest).

How to sustain national coalitions AND regional networks positive work in the policy process.

How to make CSOs participation in the policy dialogue a guiding principle and not a favour.

Expanding the Space and voice for civil society to dialogue with governments and other stake holders

Recommendations We hope to get some ideas from the

Break away Group.

Thank You.